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Portugal’s Solar Energy Potential Shaping a Brighter Future
Country or Region Overview
Country or Region: Portugal
Capital: Lisbon
Total Population: Approximately 10 million (as of 2025)
Geographical Location: Nestled on the western edge of the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe, Portugal is bordered by Spain to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. It includes the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, with a terrain of coastal plains, rolling hills, and the rugged interior of Trás-os-Montes.
Solar resource map copyright at 2021 Solargis. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY-SA 4.0). This is a solar resource map from Solargis. For a higher resolution map, please visit and download.
Table of Contents
Solar Irradiation Data in Portugal
Portugal basks in abundant solar riches, with an annual average solar irradiation of 4.0 kWh/m²/day to 5.5 kWh/m²/day. The sun-soaked south, particularly the Alentejo and Algarve, rivals Europe’s best, while the north still offers plenty of rays for a growing solar scene.
Key Solar Irradiation Data:
- Annual Solar Irradiation: 4.9 kWh/m²/day nationwide average
- High Irradiation Regions: Alentejo, Algarve, and Beja, soaring to 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m²/day
- Peak Irradiation: Up to 5.5 kWh/m²/day in summer (June to August)
Portugal’s solar capacity reached 3 GW by 2024, driven by projects like the 221 MW Solara4 plant and a swell of rooftop arrays. Aiming for 9 GW by 2030 under the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), Portugal harnesses its sunshine to lead Europe’s green wave.
If you need to learn more solar power potential in Portugal, please feel free to contact Solarvance for more details.
Temperature Factors in Portugal
- Average Annual Temperature: Portugal’s climate blends Mediterranean south (15°C to 30°C / 59°F to 86°F) with cooler, wetter north (5°C to 20°C / 41°F to 68°F). Summer highs in the Alentejo can touch 40°C (104°F), while coastal breezes temper the heat.
- Impact on Solar Panels: Southern warmth slightly curbs efficiency, offset by brilliant sun. Northern coolness boosts output, with rare frost posing no fuss.
- Recommendation: Southern panels thrive with heat-hardy designs (e.g., bifacial), while northern systems roll with standard setups. Coastal mounts need wind-ready builds.
Energy Demand and Grid Situation in Portugal
- National Energy Demand: Portugal consumes around 50 TWh yearly, fueled by tourism, fishing, and light industry. Renewables hit 60% in 2024, with solar at 8%, spurred by coal’s exit and EU climate goals.
- Grid Infrastructure: Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) runs a tight grid, stitching urban Lisbon to rural Alentejo. Solar’s 1.5 GW of distributed systems—half from rooftops—flows in, with €1 billion in storage and upgrades eyeing 80% renewables by 2030.
- Opportunities from Global Events: Portugal’s hosting of ocean summits and tourism boosts like Web Summit in Lisbon could shine a light on solar, drawing funds for coastal resorts and inland grids.
Preferred System Type in Portugal
- Grid-Connected Systems: Lisbon, Porto, and Faro lean on grid-tied solar, where self-consumption rules (Decree-Law 162/2019) credit surplus power, trimming costs for homes and cafes.
- Off-Grid Systems: Remote Azores villages and mountain hamlets tap standalone solar with batteries (e.g., 1-3 kWh), powering life off the mainland map.
- Hybrid Systems: Coastal fisheries and rural estates blend solar with wind or hydro, keeping the juice flowing through cloudy spells or tourist peaks.
Dust and Sand Factor in Portugal
- Dust and Sandstorms: Southern Alentejo catches light dust from dry winds, while northern rains keep it scarce. Urban grit nudges panels more than storms.
- Recommendation: Southern systems benefit from slanted designs and occasional wipes. Northern and coastal panels trust rain, skipping dust tech.
Humidity and Rainfall (Humidity Factor) in Portugal
- Humidity Levels: Coastal south averages 60% to 80%, northern hills hit 50% to 70%, and inland plains dry to 40% to 60%. Rainfall spans 400 mm/year in the south to 1,500 mm/year in the north.
- Impact on Solar Panels: Coastal dampness is gentle, with sealed panels unbothered. Rain scrubs panels but clouds northern output at times.
- Recommendation: Coastal systems need solid seals and glare-cutting coatings. Southern panels dodge humidity, while northern mounts handle wetter days.
Ocean (Salt Corrosion Factor) in Portugal
- Saltwater Corrosion: Portugal’s 1,794 km Atlantic coast, plus Azores and Madeira, bathes most of its people in salty air, testing solar from Lisbon to Lagos.
- Recommendation: Coastal setups call for salt-tough frames and protective finishes, with rinses to beat corrosion. Inland plains sail clear of this snag.
Government Policies and Solar Incentives in Portugal
Portugal’s solar stride rides on sharp policies:
- NECP 2030: Targets 9 GW of solar, with auctions adding 1 GW yearly (e.g., 700 MW in 2024).
- Self-Consumption Law: Offers credits for excess power, sparking 500 MW of rooftop growth.
- Green Funds: €500 million from EDP and EU grants fuel 200 MW annually.
These steps aim for carbon neutrality by 2050, rooting solar in Portugal’s sunny soul.
ROI on Solar Systems in Portugal
- ROI Period: Solar pays off in 5 to 8 years, with southern sun hitting 5 to 6 years and northern damp stretching to 7 to 8 years, lifted by €0.22/kWh rates and perks.
- Long-Term Savings: Over 25 years, savings climb to 50% to 70%, with homes shaving €300-€700 yearly and off-grid users cutting fuel costs.
Conclusion on Solar Power in Portugal
Portugal’s blazing sun, coastal heart, and green grit make it a solar standout. From Algarve’s beaches to Porto’s rivers, it’s crafting a future lit by rays.
Fishers, dreamers, and solar seekers—Portugal’s bright promise is yours to claim. Solarvance brings the tools to power your piece of this sun-kissed land. Contact us today to ride Portugal’s solar tide.
Choose Solarvance for Your Solar System
Contact us today to explore customized solar solutions for your needs, whether you’re interested in grid-connected, off-grid, or hybrid solar systems. Our team at Solarvance is here to guide you through every step of the process, from system design to installation and maintenance.
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